New Orleans has only one supermarket for every 350,000 residents, and they are often in locations that are more than a mile from where low-income residents live, writes Rosa Ramirez.
Ramirez, a student journalist at the New York Times Student Journalism Institute, got much of her information from a study by a group called SocialCompact. The study looked at examined 73 New Orleans neighborhoods, and "nearly 40 of those neighborhoods didn't have a supermarket," reports Ramirez:
"Researchers have said the lack of vegetables, dairy and other fresh
foods in neighborhood stores contributes to a poor diet, obesity and
diet-related diseases. Louisiana ranks fifth in the nation for the
percentage of obese residents and has the highest rate in the country of
deaths from diabetes."
A supermarket analyst interviewed by Ramirez said that New Orleans is "a very understored market."
FULL STORY: To Eat and Live in a New Orleans Food Desert
Dollar Stores and Grocery Stores
Opponents of dollar stores argue that dollar stores are the mortal enemy of grocery stores. Is this really true?
Don't Blame Supermarkets for Food Deserts
Quartz makes the point that supermarkets alone won't solve the problem of poor diets among low-income Americans.
Planners Reboot Public Health Efforts in South Los Angeles
A law passed to combat obesity and diabetes in South Los Angeles by slowing the proliferation of fast food restaurants has done little to change the landscape of the area.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie